International Trade (GDIT) at Vancouver Island University at

The Graduate Diploma in International Trade (GDIT) is a 12 month program that positions students to understand the primary management principles applicable to the practice of international business and trade. Graduates from the program will demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of international business to a wide range of theoretical and applied situations enabling students to engage in international import/export activities.

Through this program, VIU is a Platinum Accredited Partner institution with FITT. This means that students are eligible to pursue the Certified International Trade Professional designation (CITP) upon completion of the GDIT with VIU. GDIT students also have access to all 6 FITTskills eBooks (during the coursework at VIU) and access to write one Professional Examination or two of the FITTskills assessments (two online exams or two project assessments).

The GDIT program is available for students with a previous graduate or undergraduate degree in business. Students with a non-business degree can apply to the Graduate Certificate in Business Management (GCIB) to gain the foundation in business knowledge before applying to the GDIT. 

Program details:

• Students will be immersed in the core theories supporting the specialization before demonstrating their knowledge in an Integrative Applied Project
• Students have to undertake a real-world supervised import/export project
• Graduates from the program will demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of international business to a wide range of theoretical and applied situations enabling students to engage in international import/export activities

Career opportunities:

• Students can expect to be working in a variety of industries since import, export and supply chain management is central to firms engaged in both supply, logistics, and procurement across international borders
• The GDIT program, as it specializes in international trade, will enable students to enter firms engaged in international business or establish their own trade operations as the program covers and integrates all aspects of international trade
• Vancouver Island's port and transportation infrastructure facilitates numerous firms in importing and exporting. Island firms range from large resource-based operations to small businesses exporting numerous products from raw materials, and consumable products, to technologically sophisticated equipment. All of these firms, and others engaged in importation, provide employment opportunities in international business operations and market expansion